Moycullen and Maree will go head-to-head in the last Super League game before Christmas, as they face off at the Kingfisher in NUIG this coming Saturday, December 23rd.
Moycullen has had the better of the last two encounters, winning out the opening game of the league over in Oranmore, before repeating the result in a Cup clash later in the season. Maree have come a long way since then though, most notably overcoming DCU Saints and Éanna in two big wins at their home court, and they will definitely be ready to challenge for bragging rights on Saturday.
Elsewhere, the remaining Super League teams have a break until December 30th, when Moycullen will once more be in action as they take on UCC Demons in Cork, while Éanna welcomes Belfast Star and KUBS host Garvey’s Tralee Warriors.
The Women’s Super League is also on break for Christmas, and instead, a refixed Hula Hoops Cup game will tip off on December 30th, as reigning Cup champions, Ambassador UCC Glanmire travel up to Dublin to face Pyrobel Killester in the IWA in Clontarf in the last quarter-final up for decision.
Just one Men’s Division One game will take place as well, with Scotts Lakers St Paul’s Killarney hosting Ej Sligo All Stars in the last game of the first half of the season. From next weekend, the Men’s Division One will split into Division 1A (the top seven on the table) and Division 1B (the bottom seven on the table).
There’s also international action this festive season as the Ireland Under 18 men’s team will welcome Luxembourg to Neptune Stadium in Cork for a three-game international friendly series from December 27-29th.
Looking ahead to the games, Coach Paul Kelleher stated: “It will be nice to be at home for the games, as we have a long history with Luxembourg and, at Under 18 level particularly, they are very strong.
“We have a few big injuries going into the game and four of the squad are out in America, which makes it even tougher, but we believe the squad is well capable of challengeing Luxembourg and that is what we plan to do next week.”
Basketball Ireland Fixtures: December 23rd-30th
Saturday, 23rd December 2017
Basketball Ireland Men’s Super League:
Moycullen v Maree, Kingfisher NUIG, 16:00;
Wednesday, December 27th, 2017
Ireland U18 men v Luxembourg, Neptune Stadium, 18.00
Thursday, December 28th, 2017
Ireland U18 men v Luxembourg, Neptune Stadium, 15.30
Friday, December 29th, 2017
Ireland U18 men v Luxembourg, Neptune Stadium, 10.00
Saturday, 30th December 2017
Basketball Ireland Men’s Super League:
UCC Demons v Moycullen, Mardyke Arena, 15:00;
Éanna v Belfast Star, Colaiste Éanna, 15:00;
KUBS BC v Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, Greendale, 17:00;
Hula Hoops Women’s National Cup quarter-final:
Pyrobel Killester v Ambassador UCC Glanmire, IWA Clontarf, 18.00
Basketball Ireland Men’s Division One:
Scotts Lakers St. Paul’s Killarney v EL Sligo All Stars, Killarney Sports Centre, 15:00
